Open water in northern Minnesota once again is providing anglers with a chance to pursue the state's largest freshwater fish, the lake sturgeon.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that a $5 sturgeon tag is required to harvest and possess a lake sturgeon regardless of their Minnesota license status.

The lake sturgeon harvest tags, which can be purchased at any Electronic Licensing System agent, help the DNR gain better information on total lake sturgeon harvest statewide. The lake sturgeon tag allows an angler to harvest one lake sturgeon per license year under the existing seasons.

The following requirements apply to individuals wishing to harvest a lake sturgeon in 2007:

Lake sturgeon may not be possessed or transported without a tag; validate and attach the tag immediately upon reducing the fish to possession

Tag must be attached to the narrow portion of the body in front of the tail fin

Tags must be attached so they cannot be easily removed

Tags must be purchased in advance, are not transferable, and no duplicate tags will be issued

Registration cards must be completed and mailed within 48 hours after harvesting a fish

Lake sturgeon must be transported intact (gills and internal organs may be removed)

Members of a fishing party may not take sturgeon for other anglers limits.

No harvest tag is necessary for anglers not intending to harvest a lake sturgeon; anglers may "catch and release" sturgeon with their Minnesota fishing license.

Anglers may catch and release lake sturgeon from May 8 through May 15, and Oct. 1, through April 23, 2008. The 2007 spring harvest season runs from April 24 through May 7. The lake sturgeon season is closed on the Minnesota-Canada border waters from midnight May 16 through June 30 to all sturgeon angling.

People should become familiar with these requirements and the specific regulations regarding seasons and size limits on the particular body of water they intend to fish.

For information about the Minnesota lake sturgeon, visit the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.